Demons in the World of Warcraft universe are evil creatures that inspire dread and fear in mortals. Almost all demons are members of the Burning Legion, a group of phenomenal power that roams the cosmos preying on worlds. All demons are evil.

Most demons were once mortal creatures found on the worlds conquered by the Burning Legion, but have been transformed by their conversion into demonic beings. This change includes a powerful command of arcane energy. They define and control this arcane power with the force of their will, much as sorcerers and wizards do.

There are many types (see below) and races, most of whom typically serve either their own agenda or that of the Legion (they are often the same).

Demons are also a special sub-class of the overall category of demons. Those that make up "true" demons make up many of the shock troops, animals and generals alike. Unique individuals are likely to have leadership positions. True demons are unlikely to associate with devils, daemons or demodands, that is they are rarely found working together, unless under the guidance of a powerful leader. Even then there is likely to be strife between the different classes of fiends of Burning Legion.

Not all demons are aligned with the Burning Legion. Some may even come from other planes of existence, such as the Dark Below, who have their own plans that may be at odds with the Legion. Other demons have chosen to "abandon" the Burning Legion and yield their allegiance to others, such as the Illidari.

Characteristics

Cannot be skinned, except for felhounds, darkhounds & their variants, and Helboars.

Medium Level (24 upwards) demons can drop Silk Cloth

Higher level demons in the 50-60 range can drop Felcloth.

Enchanters can enchant weapons with Demonslaying, which gives the player bonus attack power against demons, and also causes their weapon to become engulfed in flames.

Some can be Banished or Enslaved by Warlocks

The Fiery Lords of the Burning Legion

The demons of the Burning Legion attack across a ravaged wasteland.

Sargeras, the Fallen Titan, Destroyer of Worlds, was the Supreme Commander of the Legion

Archimonde the Defiler was the Field Commander of the Burning Legion

Kil'Jaeden the Deceiver was the leader of "Special Operations" and in charge of "recruitment" into the Legion; it is assumed he is now the Acting Supreme Commander.

Tichondrius the Darkener was the leader of the Dreadlords and the Chief Infiltration Specialist

Mannoroth the Destructor was the Head General of the Legion and leader of the Pit Lords

Mephistroth is believed to be the current replacement of Tichondrius.

Azgalor is the current replacement of Mannoroth.

Famous Demonic Races

Man'ari Eredar — The uppermost rank of the Burning Legion. Some, like (Kil'jaeden and Archimonde), were turned into demons by the Dark titan Sargeras.

Wrathguard

Mo'arg

Gan'arg — The main engineers of the legion.

Felguards — The main infantry of the Legion. They are lethal but inexperienced, and are often treated poorly by greater demons. These humanoid-like creatures were originally residents of conquered worlds who were changed by the evil of the Demonic Eredar into a demonic form.

Fel stalkers — The Felbeasts were originally creatures of conquered worlds who were changed by the evil of the Eredar into a demonic form.

Annihilan (aka: Pit lords) — Gigantic generals who lead the armies of the Legion, the pit lords are surpassed in power only by the Demonic Eredar.

Nathrezim (aka: Dreadlords) — Usually commanding a small troop of Felguards, the dreadlords do not always engage in combat, and are more likely to meddle behind the scenes.

Tothrezim — Distant cousin race of Nathrezim, laborers and researchers of Burning Legion, responsible for creation of the Infernals.

Ered'ruin

Doomguard — These ironfisted demons serve as the Burning Legion’s captains and generals.

Tarshesite — Leading dozens of Felguards into battle, doomguards are extremely powerful, and can take on a dozen of heroes at once.

Fiend (Terrorguards, Fear Fiend, Terrorfiend) — Shock troops and supervisors of the Legion, found on the Front Lines of the Burning Crusade in areas like Outland.

Void terrors — Large, two-headed demons with vast magical powers.

Infernals — Great burning stone demons that are infamous for falling from the sky like burning meteors.

Sayaad

Succubi — Female demons that can be summoned by warlocks of some power.

Shadow Demons — A type of demon found in the forces of the Burning Legion, also found in Black Temple.

Daemons — Shock troops or leaders of the Burning Legion of various types.

Demodand — Shock troops or leaders of the Burning Legion of various types.

Devils — Generals and leaders of the Burning Legion.

Demon Worms

Blood Reaper

Abyssal Larva Demon

Blade Demon

Leonine Demon

Locust Demon

Demonic Knights

Death Dogs

Proud

Surged giant

Fatling

Narleth

Unique Individuals

Zmodlor

Aeshma

Baphomet

Beluiri

Cambion

Cerberus

Demons of Corruption

Azizou

Barizou

Geruzou

Dagon

Darka

Fraz-Urb'Luu

The "Faceless Lord"

Gharros

Kostchtchie

Maphistal

Nabasu

Nerizo

Orcus

Pazuzu

Sonechard

Tsathogga

Hakkar the Houndmaster

Demon or Dae'mon?

There is some question as to the origin of the name "demon" in Azeroth. In Christie Golden's Rise of the Horde, it is insinuated that the word "Demon" came from the orcish word "Dae'mon", meaning a soul that was evil, twisted, not right...much the same as the Eredar word "man'ari". However, in the War of the Ancients Trilogy, the night elves refer to them as Demons at the first coming of the Burning Legion - thousands of years before Rise of the Horde. Additionally, "daemon" without the apostrophe is a term used by both Horde and Alliance in varying sources, such as Warcraft I, II, and World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, including documents predating the First War. It is likely used as a variant spelling of "demon", having nothing to do with the orcish term.

No matter the origin of the word, the meaning is still the same.

Demonic Traits

“

If I have wings, why am I always walking?

”

—Origin of Dreadlord, Warcraft III

“

Wings, horns, hooves...what are we saying, is this Diablo?

”

—Illidan Stormrage, Warcraft III

Usually demons have one or more of a set of demonic physical traits.

Character(s)

Horns

Scales

BatWings

Hooves

Fangs

RedSkin

Flames

Man'ari Eredar

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Nathrezim

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Sargeras

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Sayaad

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Annihilan

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Some

Ered'ruin

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Illidan Stormrage

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Mo'args

No

No

No

No

No

Some

No

Felhunters

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Fel Orcs

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

Satyrs

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Some

No

Imps

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Some

Yes

Voidwalkers

No

No

No

No

No

No

No

Infernals

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Void Terrors

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

No

No

Shivarra

No

No

No

No

No

Some

Yes

Only one Eredar, Kil'jaeden, has been seen with wings (it should be noted that the Deceiver is a master of illusion, so they are likely not part of his normal biology). Eredar also display a variety of skin tones, including but not limited to demonic red.

Not all Pit Lords have been observed to possess flames. Mannoroth is an example of one characterized by flames.

Illidan's flames are a result of his triggered immolation ability and not a result of anatomy, though his arcane tattoos have been known to smolder on occasion.